Matrix assembler



June 28 $32.- LE FEGY w. wmug L Q MATRIX AS 5 EMBLER Filed May" 14, 1931 Q22 away/13 INVENTOR AT DRNEY Patented June 28, 1932 iUE'lED STATES PATENT FFICE LE ROY W. "WILLIS, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIG-NOR 'lO INTERTYPE CORPORA- TION, OF BROOKLYN, NEVT YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK MATRIX ASSEMBLER Application filed May 14, 1931.

The present invention relates to matrix assemblers of typographical machines of the class shown and described generally in U. S. Letters Patent No. 436,532 granted September 16, 1890, and No. 557,000 granted March 24:, 1896, and it relates more particularly to the matrix delivery means which comprises a travelling belt, guide rails and deflecting means for directing the matrices from their points of delivery from their magazines to an upright position in proper sequence to form a composed line of characters which may be subsequently presented to a mold into which molten type metal may be injected to cast a type bar or slug.

In machines of this class as usually constructed, the matrices when released from the magazine drop through vertical passages onto an inclined fiat belt which is travelling continuously and receives the matrices flatwise thereon and conveys them to a so-called revolving star wheel which stacks them in upright position into a line in the channel of a so-called assembling elevator. Between the point where the travelling belt turns away from the inclined path of delivery of the matrices to follow its pulley and the point at which the matrices contact with the revolving star wheel, the distance between which points varies according to the construction used, a Zone exits where the matrices slide more or less freely under the influence of the momentum imparted to them by the previous impelling' action of the travelling delivery belt, and where the matrices during their free flight are deflected from their inclined position to a generally vertical position, the star wheel then throwing them to full vertical position in the line under composition in the assembling channel of the assembling elevator.

Due to the wide variation in size and wei ht of the matrices now commonly used in machines of this class, ranging from thin space matrices and matrices having small characters for newspaper print to matrices with characters such as those used for headings and for display advertising, it has been found that proper and positive delivery of the various sizes of matrices is materially affected Serial No. 537,421.

by the speed of the delivery belt, the inclina tion of the path over which the matrices travel to and strike the deflecting member, and the position in which they arrive at the star wheel, and owing to the fixed inclination of the matrix delivery path and its fixed relation to the star wheel in assemblers as heretofore constructed, it is difficult to avoid transposition of the matrices and of the space bands I tendency to arrive at the assembling point in a more reclining position than do the thin matrices. This difficulty is further increased by the fact that the fixed chute or guide rails heretofore employed and over which the matrices ride before reaching the star wheel have their lower terminals fixed relatively close to the rearmost matrix in the line undergoing composition in the assembling elevator and there is therefore a limited space into which the thick matrices may settle in front of the star wheel, although this space is made sufiicient to receive the thinner matrices. While the usual deflecting member or socalled chute spring may be adjusted to more effectively deflect the heavy matrices to a vertical or substantially vertical position by adjusting its angular position or increasing its tension, or by other adjustment thereof, such measures are only partially effective and are inadequate, since they do not provide any means for altering the limited space between the rearmost matrix in the line under composition and the terminals of the chute rails and which space has heretofore been made somewhat greater than desirable for the thinner matrices yet insufficiently large to allow thick matrices to drop and settle into it free- 1y. Moreover, the amount of adjustment possible for the deflectmg member or chute spring overlying the assembler chute ralls While allowing free action and positive control of the passing matrices, does not materially check the movement of the heavy thick matrices, with the result that they usually strike the matrices standing in the assembled line a hard sharp blow before they fall low enough to be acted on by the star wheel, and moreover, the limited space in which these matrices may settle causes them to wedge so that the star wheel strikes them with a greater impact than the thin matrices, such blows resulting in damage to the side face and edges of the rear most matrix in the assembling line as well as to the delicate thin side walls of the character punchings thereof and also causes undue wear of the star wheel. Furthermore, the space heretofore provided between the terminals of the chute rails and the rearmost matrix in the assembling line, which was greater than that desirable for the thinner matrices, has resulted in the striking of the thin matrices by the star wheel before such matrices have settled sufiiciently low to properly enter the assembling channel, causing such matrices to be thrown upwardly, thereby impeding or retarding entrance into the channel and often allowing them to lean over sufliciently to permit a following heavier matrix or a space band to fall into position in front instead of behind it.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these and other defects which exist and have given dilficulties in the operation of machines of this class, and to insure a more perfect and smooth action in assembling thick and thin matrices without the annoyance of transpositions or sluggish or uncertain action in the assembling thereof. To accomplish this, the matrix path between the point where the matrices leave the delivery belt and the point where they finally stand in vertical position in the assembling line is adapted to assume different forms and positions, according to whether thin or thick matrices are bing assembled, it being preferable that the assembler chute rails over which the matrices pass are adapted to be set to present a relatively fiat curve or a somewhat sharp changing curve, and the lower terminals of the chute rails are adapted to be set at different distances from the rearmost matrix in the assembling line so as to provide the proper amount of space into which thin or thick matrices can settle as they come into the range of operation of the star wheel.

It has been found that by providing a slight change in the abruptness of curvature of the assembler chute rails and locating the heel of the chute spring or other deflecting member so that the point of change in curvature of the rails is positioned somewhat above it, the effectiveness of the deflecting member or chute spring in bringing the matrices to'a more or less vertical position is materially increased. By this construction and relative location of the parts, thick matrices are brought under effective control notwithstanding their tendency to override in a forward direction instead of changing their flight to a more vertical direction, the heel of the chute spring or deflecting member being thus enabled to deflect the lower end of the matrix downwardly to a greater degree due to the more rapid falling away of the chute rails beyond the heel of the chute spring or deflecting member. By setting the lower terminals of the chute rails at different distances from the rearmost matrix in the assembling line, the assembling of both thick and thin matrices is effectively aided, it enabling a more vertical guiding surface to be provided by the lower portions of the chute rails and a greater space to be provided between the lower terminals of these rails and the rearmost matrix in the line into which space thick matrices can settle down freely and quickly in front of the star wheel, without wedging, and it enabling the lower terminals of the chute rails to be brought closer to the last matrix in the line in the assembling of thin matrices, so that these matrices will not be struck by the star wheel until after they have settled sufficiently in front thereof to properly enter the assembling channel.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of portion of the matrix assembler of a typographical machine;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, the front cover plate being removed and the chute rails being shown in different adjusted positions by the full and dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the assembler shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the left thereof; and

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the improved chute rails.

The assembler shown is of the same general construction as that commonly used in typographical machines of the class hereinbefore referred to, 1 representing the usual so-called assembling elevator which is provided as usual with a channel 2 in which a line of matrices M of the usual form is adapted to be assembled, 3 represents the usual continuously revoluble star wheel which is driven continuously during the operation of the machine, 4: represents the usual flat endless travelling belt the lower portion of which passes beneath a pulley 5 by means of which it may be driven continuously, the upper side of this belt being inclined downwardly toward the star wheel and moving toward the latter, this side of the belt being located immediately below the matrix passages 6 formed in the usual assembler front between the assembler entrance guides or partitions 7, the passages 6 being located immediately below the delivery channels of the magazine in which the matrices are stored, it being understood that the matrices are delivered from the magazine by keyboard mechanism of the usual and well known kind, the released matrices dropping by gravity through the vertical passages 6 onto the travelling belt 4 which receives them while they lie flatwise thereon, and that the belt 4 conveys the matrices toward the star wheel. 8 represents the usual space band chute which is adapted to receive space bands from the usual space band box under control of the keyboard and to deliver the space hands by gravity at a point in front of the star wheel. 9 represents a front cover plate which is hinged at 10 to a relatively fixed part of the frame of the machine, it normally closing the matrix passageway in the region of the star wheel and chute rails and providing access to these parts when swung forwardly into open position.

The matrix deflecting member is shown as comprising a plate 11 pivoted by the screw 12 to a relatively fixed supporting bracket 13, the upper end of the plate being attached to a tension spring 14 which acts to swing the heel 15 of the plate toward the chute rails and the path of the matrices descending thereon.

The chute rails according to the present invention are formed by a plate 16 which is composed of a strip of metal or other bendable or flexible material, the longitudinal T edges of the plate being embossed or raised to form the rails 17 for the matrices to ride on. This plate is supported at its upper end by hooks 18 which may form continuations of the upper longitudinal edges of the plate,

' these hooks fitting tightly in slots 19 formed at the upper ends of a pair of relatively fixed front and rear rail plates 20, these latter plates being attached to and supported in fixed position by a block 21 so that the upper ends of the plates occupy positions at the front and rear respectively of the belt pulley 5 and the longitudinal extensions of the plate 16 on which the hooks 18 are formed straddle the belt 4. The plate 16 is provided 6 at its underside and near its lower end with 20, and beyond these ears, the rails 17' of the plate 16 are extended to form the terminal portions 26 which lie in front and rear re spectively of the star wheel 3, these terminal portions of the rails being curved or concave to correspond substantially with the general shape of the recess between adjacent blades of the star wheel. A block 27 is secured to the underside of the plate 16 about midway of its length and this block is arranged to be engaged by the eccentric pin 28 forming part of a shaft 29, the latter being rotatably mounted in the plates 20. The shafts and 29 are shown provided with knurled heads 30 and 31, respectively, which project forwardly through openings formed in the cover plate 9 to provide conveniently accessible means for quickly adjusting the eccentric pins 24 and 28 from the front of the assembler.

While assembling thick matrices, the eccentric pin 28 is set in position to raise the center of the rail plate 16 to bend it while its ends are held by the hooks 18 and eccentric pin 24 respectively, to present a more rapidly falling or steeper path under the matrices sliding flatwise thereover, and since the heel 15 of the deflecting member is positioned opposite to the point at which the curvature of the rail plate 16 breaks or changes, the matrices will be deflected thereby and thrown back against the more sharply inclined or descending surface, the rail plate being shown in this form and position by the full lines in Fig. 2. Also, while assembling thick matrices, the eccentric pin 24 is set to draw the lower terminals of the rail plate 16' toward the right as indicated by the full lines in Fig. 2, so that a relatively wide space is formed between the lower terminals of the chute rails and the last matrix in the matrix line.

WVhile assembling thin matrices, the eccentric pin 28 is lowered or set in a position to flatten or diminish the curvature of the rail plate 16 and the eccentric pin 24 is adjusted to move the lower terminals of the chute rails toward the left as shown in Fig. 1 and by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, thereby bringing these terminals of the chute rails into closer relationship with the last matrix in the line.

The means shown and described for bending and thereby varying the curvature of the chute rails not only insures proper deflection of relatively thick and thin matrices passing thereover so that they will properly enter the space between the star wheel and the entrance of the assembling channel of the assembling elevator, but the adjustment of the lower terminals of the chute rails toward and from the entrance of said channel insures the proper reception of the matrices thereby. By setting the lower terminals of the chute rails closer to the rearmost matrix in the line in assembling thin matrices, such matrices will be caused to arrive at the star wheel in a more inclined position, and the blades of the revolving star wheel do not strike these matrices as soon as they would strike thick matrices, which latter require a greater space between the lower terminals of the chute rails and the rearmost matrix in the line. By thus delaying the time at which the relatively thin or light matrices are struck by the star wheel blades, these matrices are permittedto settle to a lower point in a substantially vertical position, so that their lower ends will not be thrown outwardly or upwardly by the star wheel blades, which, if it occurred, would cause a hesitation in the stacking thereof vertically in the line and would often allow them to lean over sufficiently far to permit a succeeding and heavier matrix or a space band to enter ahead of it instead of in rear thereof, as required. The heavy matrices, because of their greater momentum while descending over the rails, will settle freely without interference if struck by the star wheel blades somewhat sooner than are the thin matrices, provided ample space is aflorded such matrices to prevent wedging, and such space is afforded by setting the lower terminals of the chute rails at a greater distance from the last matrix in the line.

The plate 16 which forms the chute rails is preferably composed of resilient metal so that it has a normal tendency to straighten as shown in Fig. 4 but can be easily bent or flexed more or less into the difierent forms shown in Fig. 2, the middle of the plate bearing on the eccentric pin 28 and its inherent resilience maintaining it in engagement therewith so that the plate will change its shape or form as said eccentric pin is adjusted, it resuming its less-curved form by its own resilience when said eccentric pin is retracted, and the resilience of this plate enables it to assume the different curvatures described without permanent distortion or deformation. It will be understood of course that other means may be employed for bending or flexing this chute rail forming plate instead of the eccentric pins shown.

I claim as my invention 1. In a typographical machine having a channel for the assembling of a line of'matrices, a matrix assembler comprising means for conveying matrices toward said channel, and a member between said conveying means and the assembling channel for directing the matrices to the entrance of said channel, said member being adjustable at will to alter its form and thus vary the path of the matrices.

2. In a typographical machine having a channel for the assembling of a line of matrices, a matrix assembler comprising means for conveying matrices toward said channel, and a member between said conveying means and the assembling channel for directing matrices to the entrance of said channel, said member having means for altering the curvature of its surface for the travel of the matrices thereover.

3. In a typographical machine having a channel for the assembling of a line of matrices, a matrix assembler comprising means for conveying matrices toward said channel, and a member between said conveying means and assembling channel for directin matrices to the entrance of the latter, sai member having means for varying the curvature of its matrix engaging surface and for adjusting its discharge end in a direction toward and from the entrance to said channel.

4. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling a line of matrices therein, a matrix assembler comprising a star wheel for introducing matrices into the assembling channel, means for conveying matrices toward the star wheel, and a matrixdirecting member extending from said conveying means toward the star wheel and having means for adjusting its matrix discharge end relatively to the star wheel in a direction toward and from the entrance of the assembling channel.

5. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling a line of matrices therein, a matrix assembler comprising a travelling belt for conveying matrices toward the assembling channel, a matrix-directing rail extending from said belt toward the channel, means to alter the shape of the matrix-engaging portion of said rail and means operable independently of said first mentioned means to alter the distance of the discharge end of said rail from the entrance of said channel.

6. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling a line of matrices therein, a matrix assembler comprising means for conveying matrices toward said channel, a matrix-directing rail extending between said conveying means and the entrance of said channel, a matrix deflector above and opposite to the matrix-engaging surface of said rail, and means for increasing or decreasing the curvature of the portion of the rail opposite to the matrix deflector.

7. In a typographical machine having a channel for assembling a line of matrices therein, a matrix assembler comprising means for conveying matrices toward said channel, an assembler wheel adjacent to the entrance of said Channel for introducing the matrices therein, a curved flexible matrix-directing member inclined downwardly from said conveying means to the region opposite to the entrance of said channel, a matrix deflector above said member at a point between its ends and opposite to the matrix engaging surface thereof, and means for bending said member to vary the curvature of the portion thereof opposite to the matrix deflector and to vary the inclination of its lower portion and the distance of its lower end from the entrance of said channel.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

LE ROY W. IVILLIS. 

